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Somatic Spinal Reflexes01:22

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Somatic spinal reflexes are rapid, involuntary muscular responses to external stimuli that involve the somatic musculature and the spinal cord.
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Local anesthetics (LAs) block the sodium channels of nerve trunks, sensory nerve endings, and neuromuscular junctions. Although LAs can block all kinds of nerves, the sensitivity of nerve fibers differs according to nerve types and structures. LAs are known to block myelinated fibers faster than unmyelinated ones. Also, they block pain or sensory neurons at low concentrations without affecting the motor neurons involved in muscle contractions. This helps relieve labor pain without affecting the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Stereo-Imaging System DLT Calibration to Capture 3D In Situ Displacements of Stretched Peripheral Nerves
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Nerve-stretching in the 19th century.

John Russell Silver, Marie-France Weiner1

  • 1National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Herts, UK.

Journal of Medical Biography
|February 21, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Operative nerve-stretching, once popular for sciatica and tabes dorsalis pain relief, is now disused due to transient benefits and complications. This paper reviews its history and impact on modern neurological practice.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Surgical History

Background:

  • Operative nerve-stretching was introduced in 1872 for intractable sciatica and tabes dorsalis pain.
  • The technique gained popularity for two decades, generating substantial literature.
  • Significant complications and only temporary pain relief led to its eventual abandonment.

Discussion:

  • This paper critically analyzes historical literature on nerve-stretching.
  • It examines contemporary perspectives on the efficacy and risks of nerve-stretching.
  • The study explores the historical influence of nerve-stretching on current neurological treatments.

Key Insights:

  • Nerve-stretching offered temporary pain relief but had numerous complications.
  • The procedure's transient success and adverse effects caused its decline in practice.
Keywords:
Nerve-stretchingsciaticatabes dorsalis

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  • Historical analysis reveals insights into the evolution of neurological pain management.

    • Outlook:

    • Understanding historical interventions like nerve-stretching informs current pain management strategies.
    • Further research could explore the underlying mechanisms of nerve-stretching's temporary effects.
    • This historical review provides context for developing safer, more effective neurological treatments.